Active compounds

ABSTRACT

A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein all the symbols are defined in the specification; having pharmacological activity, including blood pressure lowering activity, a process and intermediates for their preparation and their use as pharmaceuticals.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This is a division of Ser. No. 871,711 filed June 6, 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4812459.

The present invention relates to novel pyranopyridines having pharmacological activity, to a process and intermediates for preparing them, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to their use in the treatment of mammals.

European Patent Publications 76075, 91748, 93535, 95316, 107423, 120426, 120427, 126311 and 126367 disclose classes of compounds that are described as having blood pressure lowering activity or anti-hypertensive activity.

A structurally distinct class of compounds has now been discovered which are pyranopyridines substituted in the 4-position by a cyclic or acyclic amide, the nitrogen atom of the amide moiety being bonded directly to the carbon atom in the 4-position. Such pyranopyridines have been found to have blood pressure lowering activity, useful in the treatment of hypertension. In addition, these compounds are believed to be K⁺ channel activators which indicates that they are of potential use in the treatment of disorders associated with smooth muscle contraction of the gastro-intestinal tract, respiratory system, uterus or urinary tract. Such disorders include peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease, reversible airways obstruction and asthma; premature labour; and incontinence. They are also indicated as of potential use in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders other than hypertension, such as congestive heart failure, angina, peripheral vascular disease and cerebral vascular disease.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: ##STR2## wherein:

one of R₁ and R₂ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl and the other is C₁₋₄ alkyl or R₁ and R₂ together are C₂₋₅ polymethylene;

either R₃ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₇ acyloxy and R₄ is hydrogen or R₃ and R₄ together are a bond;

R₅ is hydrogen; C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by up to three halo atoms, by hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy or amino optionally substituted by one or two independent C₁₋₆ alkyl groups or disubstituted by C₄₋₅ polymethylene; C₂₋₆ alkenyl; amino optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or C₁₋₆ alkenyl group or by a C₁₋₆ alkanoyl group optionally substituted by up to three halo atoms, by a phenyl group optionally substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or halogen; or aryl or heteroaryl, either being optionally substituted by one or more groups or atoms selected from the class of C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, C₁₋₁₂ carboxylic acyl, or amino or aminocarbonyl optionally substituted by one or two C₁₋₆ alkyl groups; or (when X is O), R₅ is selected from the class of carboxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, or aminocarbonyl optionally substituted by one or two C₁₋₆ alkyl groups; and

R₆ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; or

R₅ and R₆ together are --CH₂ --(CH₂)_(n) --Z--(CH₂)_(m) -- wherein m and n are 0 to 2 such that m+n is 1 or 2 and Z is CH₂, O, S or NR wherein R is hydrogen, C₁₋₉ alkyl, C₂₋₇ alkanoyl, phenyl C₁₋₄ -alkyl, naphthylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl or benzyl-carbonyl optionally substituted in the phenyl or naphthyl ring by one or two of C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or halogen; or R is heteroarylcarbonyl;

X is oxygen or sulphur; or

R₅, R₆, X and N together are tetrahydroisoquinolinone or tetrahydroisoquinolin-thione optionally substituted in the phenyl ring as defined for R above;

the nitrogen-containing group in the 4-position being trans to the R₃ group when R₃ is hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₇ acyloxy.

Preferably, R₁ and R₂ are both C₁₋₄ alkyl, in particular both methyl.

When R₃ is C₁₋₆ alkoxy and R₄ is hydrogen, preferred examples of R₃ include methoxy and ethoxy, of which methoxy is more preferred. When R₃ is C₁₋₇ acyloxy and R₄ is hydrogen, a preferred class of R₃ is unsubstituted carboxylic acyloxy, such as unsubstituted aliphatic acyloxy. However, it is more preferred that R₃ and R₄ together are a bond, or that R₃ and R₄ are both hydrogen, or, in particular, that R₃ is hydroxy and R₄ is hydrogen.

Examples of R₅, when C₁₋₆ alkyl, include methyl, ethyl and n- and iso-propyl. Preferably such R₅ is methyl.

A sub-group of R₅, when C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by halogen is C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by fluoro, chloro or bromo. Examples thereof include methyl or ethyl terminally substituted by one, two or three fluoro, chloro or bromo.

Examples of R₅, when C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by hydroxy, include methyl or ethyl terminally substituted by hydroxy.

A sub-group of R₅, when C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by C₁₋₆ alkoxy is C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by methoxy or ethoxy. Examples thereof include methyl or ethyl terminally substituted by methoxy or ethoxy.

A sub-group of R₅, when C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl is C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl. Examples thereof include methyl or ethyl terminally substituted by methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl.

Examples of R₅, when C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by carboxy include methyl or ethyl terminally substituted by carboxy.

Examples of R₅ when alkyl substituted by amino optionally substituted by one or two independent C₁₋₆ alkyl groups include a group (CH₂)_(n) NR₉ R₁₀ where n is 1 to 6, and R₉ and R₁₀ are each independently hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl or together are C₄ or C₅ polymethylene. Examples of n include 1 and 2, in particular 1. Preferably R₉ and R₁₀ are each independently selected from hydrogen and methyl.

Examples of R₅, when C₂₋₆ alkenyl include vinyl, prop-1-enyl, prop-2-enyl, 1-methylvinyl, but-1-enyl, but-2-enyl, but-3-enyl, 1-methylenepropyl, or 1-methylprop-2-enyl, in both their E and Z forms where stereoisomerism exists.

Examples of R₅ when amino optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined include an amino optionally substituted by a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, allyl or trichloroacetyl group or by a phenyl group optionally substituted by one methyl, methoxy or chloro group or atom, in particular amino, methylamino, and phenylamino optionally substituted in the phenyl ring by one methyl, methoxy or chloro group or atom.

Examples of R₅ when aryl include phenyl and naphthyl, of which phenyl is preferred.

A sub-group of R₅ heteroaryl or heteroaryl for an R moiety in Z, is 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl of which 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl is preferred. In addition, 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl preferably contains one, two or three heteroatoms which are selected from the class of oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur and which, in the case of there being more than one heteroatom, are the same or different.

Examples of 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl containing one, two or three heteroatoms which are selected from the class of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur include furyl, thienyl, pyrryl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl and thiadiazolyl, and pyridyl, pyridazyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazyl and triazyl. Preferred examples of such groups include furanyl, thienyl, pyrryl and pyridyl, in particular 2- and 3-furyl, 2- and 3-pyrryl, 2- and 3-thienyl, and 2-, 3- and 4-pyridyl.

Examples of 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl containing one, two or three heteroatoms which are selected from the class of oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur include benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, indolyl and indazolyl, quinolyl and isoquinolyl, and quinazonyl. Preferred examples of such groups include 2- and 3-benzofuryl, 2- and 3-benzothienyl, and 2- and 3-indolyl, and 2- and 3-quinolyl.

Preferably, the number of groups or atoms for optional substitution of aryl or heteroaryl is one, two, three or four.

Preferred examples of the groups or atoms for optional substiution of aryl or heteroaryl include methyl, methoxy, hydroxy, chloro, fluoro, nitro or cyano, most preferably fluoro.

A sub-group of R₅ is phenyl or naphthyl or a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or a 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl, the phenyl, naphthyl or heteroaryl group being optionally substituted by one, two, three or four groups or atoms selected from the class of C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, nitro or cyano.

A preferred subgroup of phenyl optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined is phenyl, 4-substituted phenyl, 3-substituted phenyl, 2-substituted phenyl, 2,4, 2,6 and 3,4-disubstituted phenyl and 3,4,5-trisubstituted phenyl.

A preferred sub-group of 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined is unsubstituted or mono-substituted 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl, in particular unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered monocyclic or 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl.

When X is O, examples of R₅ also include carboxyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, methylamino-carbonyl and dimethylaminocarbonyl.

R₅ and R₆, when together are --CH₂ --(CH₂)_(n) --Z--(CH₂)_(m) -- as defined the resulting radical substituting the pyranopyridine in the 4-position is preferably either pyrrolidonyl or piperidonyl. Other examples of 4-substituents when R₅ and R₆ are joined together include those described in EP-A-107423.

When Z is other than CH₂, m is often 0 or 1 and n is often 0 or 1. Suitable examples of R when Z is NR include hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n- and iso-propyl, n-, sec- and tert-butyl, benzyl, phenylcarbonyl or benzylcarbonyl optionally substituted in the phenyl ring by methyl, methoxy, chloro or bromo; furylcarbonyl, thienylcarbonyl, pyrrolylcarbonyl or indolylcarbonyl. Preferably R is hydrogen, methyl, n-butyl, acetyl, benzyl, benzylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl or furylcarbonyl. Most preferably R is hydrogen.

Preferred examples of R₅ and R₆ are R₅ is methyl or halophenyl, such as 2- or 4-fluorophenyl and R₆ hydrogen and R₅ and R₆ together are C₃ or C₄ polymethylene.

Preferably, X is oxygen.

Examples of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula (I), when the compound contains a salifiable substituent which is an optionally substituted amino group, include acid addition salts such as the hydrochloride and hydrobromide salts. Such a salifiable group may be within an R₅ group. A carboxy group within R₅ may also be salified to form metal salts, such as alkali metal salts, or optionally substituted ammonium salts.

It will also be appreciated that the pyridine in the compound of formula (I) is also salifiable, to give pyridine salts with acids, such as those with HCl and HBr. Alternatively, internal salts such as the N-Oxide may be formed by per-acid oxidation of the corresponding compound of formula (I).

The compounds of formula (I) may also exist as solvates such as hydrates and the invention extends to these; such solvates are included wherever a compound of formula (I) is herein referred to.

The compounds of formula (I), wherein R₃ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₇ acyloxy and R₄ is hydrogen, are asymmetric, and, therefore, can exist in the form of optical isomers.

The present invention extends to all such isomers individually and as mixtures, such as racemates.

Examples of compounds of formula (I) include the compounds prepared in the Examples hereinafter.

The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which comprises;

(i) acylating a compound of formula (II): ##STR3## wherein, R₁ and R₂ are as hereinbefore defined, R₃ ¹ is hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₇ acyloxy, R₄ ¹ is hydrogen and R₆ ¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl, the R₆ ¹ NH group being trans to the R₃ ¹ group,

(a) with an acylating agent of formula (III):

    R.sub.8 --CO--L.sub.1                                      (III)

wherein L₁ is a leaving group, and R₈ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl optionally substituted by halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy or amino optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined for R₅, C₂₋₆ alkenyl or optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl as hereinbefore defined for R₅, or a group convertible to R₅ as hereinbefore defined, and thereafter, when R₆ is hydrogen and R₈ is Y(CH₂)_(z) L, where z is 3 or 4 and Y is a leaving group, cyclising the resultant compound;

(b) with a compound of formula (IV)

    X═C═N.R.sub.11                                     (IV)

wherein R₁₁ hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkenyl, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl optionally substituted by up to three halo atoms, or phenyl optionally substituted by C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or halogen; and X is oxygen or sulphur, and thereafter when R₁₁ is hydrogen, optionally converting R₁₁ ; or

(ii) where, in the resultant compound of formula (I), R₅ and R₆ are joined together or R₅ is aminocarbonyl, reacting a compound of formula (V); ##STR4## wherein R₁ and R₂ are as hereinbefore defined, with a compound of formula (VI):

    R.sub.13 NHCOR.sub.12                                      (VI)

wherein R₁₂ is R₆ as defined and R₁₂ is aminocarbonyl; R₁₂ aND R₁₃ together are --CH₂ --(CH₂)_(n) --Z--(CH₂)_(m) -- or R₁₃ NHCOR₁₁ is tetrahydroisoquinolinone; optionally converting R₃ in the resulting compound into another R₃ ; in the case where R₃ and R₄ in the resulting compound are hydroxy and hydrogen respectively, optionally dehydrating the compound to give another compound wherein R₃ and R₄ together are a bond, and optionally reducing the resulting compound wherein R₃ and R₄ together are a bond, to give another compound, wherein R₃ and R₄ are each hydrogen; and optionally thiating the R₆ --N--CO--R₅ group in the resulting compound to give a compound wherein X is sulphur; and optionally forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In the process variant (i) (a) acylation of a compound of formula (II) with an acylating agent of formula (III), the leaving group L₁ is a group that is displaceable by a primary or secondary amino nucleophile. Examples of such a group include C₁₋₄ alkanoyloxy, and halogen, such as chloro and bromo or hydroxy. When the leaving group L₁ is either of these examples, the acylating agent of formula (III) is either an acid anhydride or an acid halide. When it is an acid anhydride, it may be a mixed or simple anhydride. If it is a mixed anhydride, it may be prepared in situ from a carboxylic acid and an acid halide, although this is less preferred than using the halide itself. When L₁ is hydroxy, conventional coupling methods using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide are suitable.

In process variant (i) (a), when R₅ in the desired compound of formula (I) is an R₅ optionally substituted amino-substituted alkyl group as hereinbefore defined, it is preferred that R₈ is a group convertible to the R₅ substituted alkyl group as hereinbefore defined, in particular that it is C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by halo, especially bromo. The R₈ halo substituent in the resultant compound of process variant (i) (a) may be converted to an R₅ substituent which is amino optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined by a conventional amination reaction with ammonia or a corresponding alkyl- or dialkylamine. When R₈ is C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, this may be converted to R₅ is carboxy by conventional hydrolysis.

Less favourably R₈ may be C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted by protected amino, protected C₁₋₆ alkylamino or amino substituted by two independent C₁₋₆ alkyl groups, it being necessary to protect the R₈ amino function in process variant (i) (a).

When the acylating agent of formula (III) is an acid anhydride, the acylation of the compound of formula (II) may be carried out in the presence of an acid acceptor, such as sodium acetate, optionally using the anhydride as the solvent.

When the acylating agent of formula (III) is an acid halide, the acylation of the compound of formula (II) is, preferably, carried out in a non-aqueous medium, such as dichloromethane, in the presence of an acid acceptor, such as triethylamine, trimethylamine, or calcium, potassium or sodium carbonate.

When the acylating agent of formula (III) is an acid the acylation of a compound of formula (II) is conveniently performed in the presence of a dehydrating agent, such as dicyclohexyldicarbodiimide in an inert solvent, such as dimethylformamide at a temperature of 0° C. to ambient.

When R₃ ¹ in a compound of formula (II) is hydroxy, there is a risk of a side-reaction between the hydroxy group and the acylating agent of formula (III). However, the reaction may be carried out under controlled conditions such that only the amine, R₆ ¹ NH-- is acylated, for example, by using a C₂₋₉ acyloxy group as the leaving group L₁, in the acylating agent of formula (III) in the manner as previously described for an acid anhydride, and/or effecting the reaction at relatively low temperature, e.g. at below 10° C. Alternatively R₃ ¹ may be C₁₋₇ acyloxy in a compound of formula (II), although less preferably if R₃ in the resultant compound of formula (I) is to be hydroxy, and, after reaction with the acylating agent of formula (III), be converted into hydroxy, as described hereinafter.

When R₈ is Y(CH₂)_(z) where the variables are as hereinbefore defined, the leaving group Y is a group that is displaceable by a secondary amino nucleophile adjacent to a carbonyl function. A preferred example is chloro.

The cyclisation reaction when R₈ is Y(CH₂)_(z) where the variables are as hereinbefore defined is preferably carried out in an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide.

In process variant (i) (b), when R₁₁ in a compound of formula (IV) is C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkanoyl optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined, or phenyl optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined, the reaction between the compounds of formulae (II) and (IV) is, preferably, carried out in a solvent, such as methylene chloride, at below room temperature, in particular below 10° C.

When R₁₁ is hydrogen, the reaction between the compounds of formulae (II) and (IV) is, preferably, carried out using a corresponding alkali metal cyanate or thiocyanate, for example that of sodium or potassium, in an optionally methanolic aqueous medium acidified with a mineral acid, such as dilute hydrochloric acid. A slightly elevated temperature such as 50° to 90° C. is apt.

In the process variant (ii) reaction of a compound of formula (V) with a compound of formula (VI), it is particularly preferred that the reaction is carried out under basic conditions so as to facilitate the formation of the anion of the compound of formula (VI), for example, in the presence of sodium hydride.

The reaction of the compounds of formulae (II) with (III) or (IV) results in a compound of formula (I) wherein R₃ is hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₇ acyloxy, whereas the reaction of the compounds of formulae (V) and (VI) results in a compound of formula (I) wherein R₃ is hydroxy. Examples of an optional conversion of R₃ in a compound of formula (I) into another R₃ are generally known in the art. For example, when R₃ is hydroxy, it may be alkylated using an alkyl iodide in an inert solvent, such as toluene, in the presence of a base, such as potassium hydroxide, or it may be acylated using a carboxylic acid chloride or anhydride in a non-hydroxylic solvent in the presence of an acid acceptor. Alternatively, when R₃ is C₁₋₇ acyloxy or C₁₋₆ alkoxy, it may be converted into hydroxy by conventional hydrolysis or dealkylation respectively.

The optional dehydration of the resulting compound of formula (I), wherein R₃ and R₄ are hydroxy and hydrogen respectively, into another compound of formula (I), wherein R₃ and R₄ together are a bond, may be carried out under conventional dehydration conditions, for example, by using a dehydrating agent, such as sodium hydride, in an inert solvent, such as dry tetrahydrofuran, at reflux temperature.

The optional reduction of the resulting compound of formula (I), wherein R₃ and R₄ together are a bond, into another compound of formula (I), wherein R₃ and R₄ are each hydrogen, may be carried out by hydrogenation using a catalyst of palladium on charcoal.

The optional thiation of the R₆ --N--CO--R₅ group in a compound of formula (I) to give another compound of formula I, wherein X is sulphur, is, preferably, carried out with conventional thiation agents, such as hydrogen sulphide, phosphorous pentasulphide and Lawesson's reagent (p-methoxyphenylthiophosphine sulphide dimer). The use of hydrogen sulphide and phosphorous pentasulphide may lead to side-reactions and, therefore, the use of Lawesson's reagent is preferred.

The thiation reaction conditions are conventional for the thiation agent employed. For example, the use of hydrogen sulphide is, preferably, acid catalysed by, for example, hydrogen chloride in a polar solvent, such as acetic acid or ethanol. The preferred use of Lawesson's reagent is, preferably, carried out under reflux in a dry solvent, such as toluene or methylene chloride.

The optional formation of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt may be carried out conventionally. It should be appreciated that formation of an N-Oxide by oxidation may affect other substituents and appropriate modification of reaction conditions and/or protection will be taken where necessary.

A compound of formula (II) may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (V), as defined hereinbefore, with a compound of formula (VII):

    R.sub.6.sup.1 NH.sub.2                                     (VII)

wherein R₆ ¹ is as defined hereinbefore; and optionally converting R₃ ¹ hydroxyl in the resulting compound of formula (II) into another R₃ ¹.

The reaction is normally carried out in a solvent, such as a C₁₋₄ alcohol, in particular methanol, ethanol or propanol at an ambient or an elevated temperature, for example 12° to 100° C. The reaction proceeds particularly smoothly if carried out in ethanol under reflux.

The resulting compound of formula (II) may be removed from the reaction mixture by removal of the solvent, for example, by evaporation under reduced pressure. Any epoxide impurity may be removed conventionally, for example by chromatography.

The optional conversion of the hydroxy group for R₃ ¹ in the resulting compound of formula (II) into a C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₇ acyloxy group may be carried out as described hereinbefore in relation to the corresponding conversion of R₃ in a compound of formula (I).

A compound of formula (V) may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (VIII): ##STR5## wherein R₁ and R₂ are as hereinbefore defined, the bromine atom being trans to the hydroxy group, with a base, such as potassium hydroxide, in a solvent, such as ether or aqueous dioxan. It is preferred that the compound of formula (V) is used directly in the reaction with (VI).

A compound of formula (VIII) may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (IX): ##STR6## wherein R₁ and R₂ are as hereinbefore defined, with N-bromosuccinimide in a solvent, such as aqueous dimethyl sulphoxide.

A compound of formula (VIII) may be prepared in accordance with analogous processes to those described in the aforementioned European publications, i.e. by the process depicted below: ##STR7##

As mentioned previously, some of the compounds of formula (I) may exist in optically active forms, and the processes of the present invention produce mixtures of such forms. The individual enantiomers may be resolved by conventional methods.

It is preferred that the compounds of formula (I) are isolated in substantially pure, pharmaceutically acceptable form.

The intermediates of formulae (II), (V), (VIII) or (IX) are believed to be novel and represent part of the present invention. The intermediates of formulae (III), (IV), (VI) or (VII) are known and may be prepared in accordance with an appropriate known process.

As mentioned previously, the compounds of formula (I) have been found to have blood-pressure lowering activity. They are therefore useful in the treatment of hypertension. They may also be of potential use in the treatment of other disorders hereinbefore described.

The present invention accordingly provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In particular, the present invention provides an anti-hypertensive pharmaceutical composition which comprises an anti-hypertensive effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The compositions are preferably adapted for oral administration. However, they may be adapted for other modes of administration, for example parenteral administration for patients suffering from heart failure. Other alternative modes of administration include sublingual or transdermal administration. A composition may be in the form of a spray, aerosol or other conventional method for inhalation, for treating asthma.

The compositions may be in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, granules, lozenges, suppositories, reconstitutable powders, or liquid preparations, such as oral or sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions.

In order to obtain consistency of administration it is preferred that a composition of the invention is in the form of a unit dose.

Unit dose presentation forms for oral administration may be tablets and capsules and may contain conventional excipients such as binding agents, for example syrup, acacia, gelatin, sorbitol, tragacanth, or polyvinylpyrrolidone; fillers, for example lactose, sugar, maize-starch, calcium phosphate, sorbitol or glycine; tabletting lubricants, for example magnesium stearate; disintegrants, for example starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycollate or microcrystalline cellulose; or pharmaceutically acceptable wetting agents such as sodium lauryl sulphate.

The solid oral compositions may be prepared by conventional methods of blending, filling or tabletting. Repeated blending operations may be used to distribute the active agent throughout those compositions employing large quantities of fillers. Such operations are of course conventional in the art. The tablets may be coated according to methods well known in normal pharmaceutical practice, in particular with an enteric coating.

Oral liquid preparations may be in the form of, for example, emulsions, syrups or elixirs, or may be presented as a dry product for reconstitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may contain conventional additives such as suspending agents, for example sorbitol, syrup, methyl cellulose, gelatin, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, aluminium stearate gel, hydrogenated edible fats; emulsifying agents, for example lecithin, sorbitan monooleate, or acacia; non-aqueous vehicles (which may include edible oils), for example almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, oily esters such as esters of glycerine, propylene glycol, or ethyl alcohol; preservatives, for example methyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoate or sorbic acid; and if desired conventional flavouring or colouring agents.

For parenteral administration, fluid unit dosage forms are prepared utilizing the compound and a sterile vehicle, and, depending on the concentration used, can be either suspended or dissolved in the vehicle. In preparing solutions the compound can be dissolved in water for injection and filter sterilized before filling into a suitable vial or ampoule and sealing. Advantageously, adjuvants such as a local anaesthetic, a preservative and buffering agents can be dissolved in the vehicle. To enhance the stability, the composition can be frozen after filling into the vial and the water removed under vacuum. Parenteral suspensions are prepared in substantially the same manner, except that the compound is suspended in the vehicle instead of being dissolved, and sterilization cannot be accomplished by filtration. The compound can be sterilized by exposure to ethylene oxide before suspending in the sterile vehicle. Advantageously, a surfactant or wetting agent is included in the composition to facilitate uniform distribution of the compound.

The compositions may contain from 0.1% to 99% by weight, preferably from 10-60% by weight, of the active material, depending on the method of administration.

The present invention further provides a method of prophylaxis or treatment of hypertension in mammals including man, which comprises administering to the suffering mammal an anti-hypertensive effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An effective amount will depend on the relative efficacy of the compounds of the present invention, the severity of the hypertension being treated and the weight of the sufferer. However, a unit dose form of a composition of the invention may contain from 1 to 100 mg of a compound of the invention and more usually from 2 to 50 mg, for example 5 to 25 mg such as 6, 10, 15 or 20 mg. Such compositions may be administered from 1 to 6 times a day, more usually from 2 to 4 times a day, in a manner such that the daily dose is from 5 to 200 mg for a 70 kg human adult and more particularly from 10 to 100 mg.

No toxicological effects are indicated at the aforementioned dosage ranges.

The present invention further provides a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of hypertension.

The following descriptions relate to the preparation of intermediates and the following examples relate to the preparation of compounds of formula (I).

All temperatures therein are in °C.

DESCRIPTION 1 2,2-Dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridine ##STR8## p-Hydroxypyridine (32.0 g), 40% benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide in MeOH (50.7 g ) and 3-methyl-3-chlorobut-1-yne (37.4 g) were dissolved in CH₂ Cl₂ (150 mL). To this stirred solution was added NaOH pellets (14.5 g) dissolved in H₂ O (150 mL) and the resulting mixture stirred vigorously at room temperature for 3.75 days. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer further extracted with CHCl₃. The combined organic layers were evaporated and the resulting brown oil was taken up in Et₂ O and washed with 10% NaOH solution, H₂ O and brine before drying over anh. MgSO₄. Filtration and evaporation yielded an orange oil (21.0 g) which was boiled in o-dichlorobenzene under N₂ for 1 h. Evaporation of the solvent and distillation gave the title pyranopyridine (9.2 g): bp 110° C./0.18 mmHg;

NMR (CDCl₃) δ1.47 (s, 6H); 5.67 (d, J=10, 1H); 6.37 (d, J=10, 1H); 6.67 (d, J=6, 1H); 8.17 (s, 1H); 8.28 (d, J=6, 1H).

DESCRIPTION 2 Trans-3-Bromo-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-4-ol ##STR9## To the pyranopyridine (4.0 g) of description 1 dissolved in DMSO (60 mL) and H₂ O (40 mL) was added NBS (5.3 g) in one portion with vigorous stirring at room temperature. After an additional 90 min of stirring the mixture was poured into H₂ O (70 mL) containing HCl to pH 2. Extraction with EtOAc, was followed by basification of the aqueous layer to pH 9 with aqueous NaHCO₃ and further extraction with EtOAc. Both organic extracts were washed with H₂ O (pH 7) and brine before drying over anh. MgSO₄. The combined extracts were filtered and evaporated and triturated with pentane to give the bromohydrin (2.27 g) as a pale yellow solid. A small portion was recrystallised from EtOAc-pentane: mp 140°-141° C.; NMR (CDCl₃) δ1.46 (s, 3H), 1.65 (s, 3H), 4.14 (d, J=9, 1H), 5.03 (d, J=9, 1H) overlapped by 5.08 (s, 1H exchangeable with D₂ O), 6.77 (d, J=6, 1H ), 8.35 (d, J=6, 1H), 8.62 (s, 1H). EXAMPLE 1 Trans-3,4-Dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol ##STR10## The bromohydrin of description 2 (1.2 g) and KOH pelletes (1.2 g) were stirred in Et₂ O (200 mL) at room temperature for 20 h. Filtration and evaporation gave a crude epoxide (0.78 g) which was used directly, without purification, in the next stage.

The epoxide (0.43 g ) was added to a solution of 2-pyrrolidinone (0.22 mL) in dry DMSO (10 mL) containing 80% NaH (80 mg), and the reaction mixture stirred under N₂ for 24 h at room temperature. Water (100 mL) was added cautiously to the reaction mixture and the aqueous layer extracted with EtOAc. The aqueous layer was basified to pH 14 with aqueous KOH and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with H₂ O (at pH 7) and brine and dried over anh. MgSO₄. Filtration and evaporation gave a solid (0.22 g) which was chromatographed (chromatotron, 2 mm silica gel, gradient elution with CHCl₃ →20% MeoH/CHCl₃) and recrystallised from EtOAc to give the title compound (74 mg): mp 253° C.; mass spectrum (EI) M⁺ at m/z 262.1316. Calcd. for C₁₄ H₁₈ N₂ O₃ ; 262.1313.

EXAMPLE 2 Trans-3,4-Dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol oxide (E2) ##STR11## The compound of example 1 (102 mgm) and m-chloroperbenzoic acid (134 mgm) were heated under reflux in chloroform (10 mL) for 2 hr. The reaction mixture was cooled and evaporated and the resulting gum was chromatographed (chromatotron; chloroform→10% methanol-chloroform in a gradient elution), and chromatographically homogeneous fractions were combined and recrystallised from ethyl acetate-methanol to give the N-oxide of (E2) as a solid (54 mgm) of m.p. 284°-285° C.

Mass spectrum (E.I.) M⁺ at m/z 278.1255. C₁₄ H₁₈ N₂ O₄ requires 278.1243.

EXAMPLE 3 Trans-3,4-Dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E3) ##STR12## The bromohydrin of description 2 was treated in a similar manner to that described in example 1, and the crude epoxide used directly as follows.

The epoxide (0.95 g) in dimethyl sulphoxide (15 mL) was added to a solution of δ-valerolactam (0.64 g) and 80% NaH (0.18 g) in dimethyl sulphoxide (10 mL) and the mixture stirred for 18 hours under nitrogen. Water was added cautiously to the reaction mixture and the pH adjusted to 12 with sodium hydroxide, and the solution saturated with sodium chloride. Extraction with ethyl acetate, gave a crude product which was chromatographed (chromatotron; chloroform→25% methanol-chloroform in a gradent elution) to give the required product (0.03 g) as a solid. Further extraction of the aqueous layer with chloroform, and distillation of the co-extracted dimethyl sulphoxide gave more crude product which was chromatographed as above to give a further batch of the required material (0.355 g). Solids were combined and recrystallised from ethyl acetate to give the compound of example 3 as colourless crystals (0.232 g); m.p. 241°-243° C. IR (KBr disc): 3500-3100; 1610 cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 4 Trans-4-Acetylamino-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E4) ##STR13## Crude epoxide (1.48 g, prepared as described in example 1) was treated with 0.88 ammonia solution (15 mL) in ethanol (30 mL) during 31 hours. Evaporation gave a crude aminoalcohol (1.56 g) as a foam.

A portion of this aminoalcohol (0.71 g), triethylamine (0.51 mL) and dichloromethane (25 mL) were stirred at 0° C. Acetyl chloride (0.26 mL) was added to this solution, and the mixture stirred for a further 1 hour. The organic layer was washed with water. The aqueous extract was made basic with sodium carbonate and saturated with sodium chloride and extracted with chloroform. The organic layer was dried, filtered and evaporated to leave a solid (0.48 g) which was recrystallised from ethyl acetate to furnish the compound of example 4 as a white solid (0.274 g) of m.p. 208°-210° C.

NMR (CDCl₃) δ; 1.28 (s, 3H); 1.49 (s, 3H); 2.08 (s, 3H); 3.62 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H); 5.03 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H); 6.79 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H); 8.18 (m, 2H).

EXAMPLE 5 Trans-4-(4-fluorobenzoylamino)-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E5) ##STR14## Crude aminoalcohol (0.85 g, prepared as described in example 4) was treated in an identical manner to that described in example 4, with p-fluorobenzoyl chloride.

Chromatography of the crude product (0.654 g) using a gradient elution technique (chromatotron; chloroform-methanol) gave the required material which was recrystallised from ethyl acetate-methanol as a crystalline white solid (64 mg) of m.p. 254°-255° C. Anal. Found: C, 64.29; H, 5.35; N, 8.77; C₁₇ H₁₇ N₂ O₃ F req: C, 64.55; H, 5.42; N, 8.86.

EXAMPLE 6 2,2-Dimethyl-4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin (E6) ##STR15## The compound of example 3 (0.40 g) and 80% NaH (0.088 g) were heated under reflux in dry xylene (35 mL) under nitrogen for 2.5 h. A few drops of water were added cautiously and the solution evaporated to give a yellow gum (0.60 g) which was chromatographed (chromototron; chloroform→25% MeOH-chloroform in a gradient elution) to give a crude product (0.147 g) which was recrystallised from ethyl acetate-pentane to give the title compound (0.086 g) as colourless crystals mp 108°-113° C.

NMR CDCl₃ δ; 1.52 (s, 6H); 1.94 (brs, 4H); 2.56 (brs, 2H); 3.49 (m, 2H); 5.59 (s, 1H); 6.72 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H); 8.05 (s, 1H); 8.26 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H).

EXAMPLE 7 Trans-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol oxide (E7) ##STR16## The compound of example 3 was treated with m-chloroperbenzoic acid as described in the preparation of the oxide of example 2, to give the N-oxide (E7) as a solid of m.p. 290°-291° C. from ethyl acetate-methanol. EXAMPLE 8 Trans-4-(2-fluorobenzoylamino)-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E8) ##STR17## The crude aminoalcohol (0.97 g, prepared as described in example 4) was added to a solution of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1.027 g), hydroxybenzotriazole (0.657 g) and 2-fluorobenzoic acid (0.7 g) in dry dimethylformamide (20 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to attain room temperature, and was stirred for 3 days. The mixture was filtered and evaporated, and the residue chromatographed on silica gel. Elution with 10% methanol-chloroform mixture and recrystallisation from ethyl acetate-methanol furnished the product of example 8 (345 mg) of m.p. 254° C.

NMR (CD₃ OD) δ 1.33 (s, 3H); 1.53 (s, 3H); 3.81 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H); 5.27 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H); 6.83 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H); 7.10-7.93 (series of m, 4H); 8.23 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H); 8.36 (s, 1H).

EXAMPLE 9 Trans-4-(3-fluorobenzoylamino)-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E9) ##STR18## The compound of this example was prepared in a similar manner, employing 3-fluorobenzoic acid, to that described in example 8. Recrystallisation from ethyl acetate-methanol gave the product of m.p. 259°-261° C. Mass Spectrum (E.I.).

M⁺ at m/z 316.1220. C₁₇ H₁₇ N₂ O₃ F requires 316.1223.

EXAMPLE 10 Trans-4-(2,4-difluorobenzoylamino)-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E10) ##STR19## The compound of this example was prepared in a similar manner, employing 2,4-difluorobenzoic acid, to the compound of example 8. Recrystallisation from ethyl acetate gave the compound of example 10 of m.p. 235°-237° C.

NMR (CD₃ OD) δ 1.37 (s, 3H); 1.57 (s, 3H); 3.84 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H); 5.30 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H); 6.85 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H); 7.14 (irregular t, J=8 Hz, 2H); 7.87 (q, J=8 Hz, 1H); 8.23 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H); 8.36 (s, 1H).

EXAMPLE 11 Trans-4-(2,6-difluorobenzoylamino)-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E11) ##STR20## The compound of this example was prepared in a similar manner, employing 2,6-difluorobenzoic acid, to the compound of example 8. Recrystallisation from ethyl acetate-methanol furnished the compound of example 11 as a solid of m.p. 256° C.

Anal. Found: C, 61.17; H, 4.55; N, 8.29%. C₁₇ H₁₆ N₂ O₃ F₂ require: C, 61.07; H, 4.82; N, 8.38%.

EXAMPLE 12 Trans-4-(N-acetyl-2-oxopiperazin-1-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E12) ##STR21## The epoxide (2.5 g, the preparation of which was described in example 1) and 4-acetylpiperazin-2-one (2.7 g) were stirred in dimethyl sulphoxide (30 mL). Sodium hydride (0.57 g, 80% dispersion in oil) was added in portions to the solution at room temperature under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for an additional 6 h. Water (25 mL) was added cautiously to the solution and the mixture extracted several times with chloroform. The organic extracts were washed with H₂ O and brine, and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. The solution was filtered and evaporated and the residual gum chromatographed on silica gel. Elution with 5% methanol-chloroform gave the product which was recrystallised from ethyl acetate-methanol to give the compound of example 12 (0.36 g) as a solid of m.p. 215°-217° C.

Anal. Found: C, 60.24; H, 6.59; N, 13.16%. C₁₆ H₂₁ N₃ O₄ requires: C, 60.18; H, 6.63; N, 13.16%.

EXAMPLE 13 Trans-4-(2-oxopiperazin-1-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-3-ol (E13) ##STR22## The compound of example 12 (0.64 g) was heated under reflux in 5N HCl (6 mL) and ethanol (10 mL) for 2 hours. The solution was cooled, partially evaporated and basified with KOH pellets. The mixture was evaporated to dryness, and taken up in hot ethyl acetate and filtered. Evaporation of solvent gave a residue which was recrystallised twice from ethyl acetate-methanol to give the compound of example 13 as a crystalline solid (156 mg) of m.p. 198°-199° C.

Mass spectrum (E.I.) (M+H)⁺ at m/z 278.1512. C₁₄ H₂₀ O₃ N₃ requires 278.1504.

EXAMPLE 14 2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-oxopiperazin-1-yl)-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridine (E14) ##STR23## The compound of example 13 was treated in a similar manner to the compound of example 3 during the preparation of the compound of example 6, to furnish the title compound (E14) as a solid of m.p. 109°-111° C. after chromatography (chromatotron; elution with 15% methanol-chloroform). PHARMACOLOGICAL DATA Blood Pressure Lowering Activity

Systolic blood pressures were recorded by a modification of the tail cuff method described by I. M. Claxton, M. G. Palfreyman, R. H. Poyser, R. L. Whiting, European Journal of Pharmacology, 37, 179 (1976). A W+W BP recorder, model 8005 was used to display pulses. Prior to all measurements rats were placed in a heated environment (33.5°±0.5° C.) before transfer to a restraining cage. Each determination of blood pressure was the mean of at least 6 readings. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (ages 12-18 weeks) with systolic blood pressures>180 mmHg were considered hypertensive.

    ______________________________________                                                                 % Change in                                                           Time     Systolic                                               Compound of    Post     Blood                                                  Example 1      Dose Hrs Pressure                                               ______________________________________                                         6 Rats         1        -39 ± 7                                             Dose 1         2        -29 ± 4                                             mg/kg po                                                                       Initial Blood  4        -17 ± 4                                             Pressure       6        -12 ± 4                                             238 ± 7 mm Hg                                                                              24       -15 ± 3                                             ______________________________________                                    

The other compounds of the Examples were tested and found to be active in the above test.

Bronchodilator Activity--Guinea Pig Asphyxic Collapse Model in-vivo

This model is based on the method described by Herxheimer (Br.J.Pharm.50, 314 (1974)]. Conscious guinea pigs (Dunkin-Hartley strain, 500-700 g body weight) were placed individually into a Perspex chamber of approximately 8 liters capacity, and the animals were challenged with an histamine aerosol. The standard histamine aerosol was generated using a Monaghan 675 ultrasonic nebulizer (power setting 7) from a 5×10⁻⁶ m solution of histamine diphosphate in distilled water. After obtaining satisfactory aerosol generation, the aerosol was passed into the chamber for 10 seconds and the time was recorded from introduction of the aerosol until the guinea pig collapsed (termed asphyxic collapse). In this way, the mean asphyxic collapse for a group of guinea pigs was determined.

Compounds were administered orally to groups of animals (number=N) and the degree of protection against histamine-induced asphyxic collapse was determined by the percentage increase in mean time to asphyxic collapse of a compound-treated group over that for asphyxic collapse for control groups. Compound-treated animals that did not collapse were considered to be 100% protected.

Compounds were administered in 1% methyl cellulose at a concentration of 5 mg/kg (1 ml/kg body weight) and the animals were challenged with the standard histamine aerosol after 30 min.

The significance of any increase in the mean asphyxic collapse time of a compound-treated group of animals over that of a vehicle-treated control group was determined using Student's "t" test.

The results were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Compound                                                                               Dose (p.o.) N     Mean Collapse time (sec)                             ______________________________________                                         example 3                                                                              5 mg/kg     5      193.0 ± 7.0*                                     Control             5      67.8 ± 6.1                                       ______________________________________                                          *p < 0.001 (Student's ttest).                                             

We claim:
 1. A compound of formula (II), (V), (VIII) or (IX): ##STR24## wherein one of R₁ and R₂ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl and the other is C₁₋₄ alkyl or R₁ and R₂ together are C₂₋₅ polymethylene; R₃ ¹ is hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxy or C₁₋₇ acyloxy; R₄ ¹ is hydrogen and R₆ ¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl, the R₆ ¹ NH group being trans to the R₃ ¹ group.
 2. 2,2-Dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridine.
 3. Trans-3-Bromo-3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-4-ol.
 4. 3,4-Dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-epoxy-2H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridine. 